September 02, 2019

1973 — December: Jim Croce “I Got a Name”

36 minutes

When you list the greatest singer/songwriters of the rock era, it will not be long before the name Jim Croce appears. Rob shares that this fifth and final album entitled “I Got a Name” was posthumously released in December after Croce’s tragic death in an airplane accident in September of 1973. The pilot struck a pecan tree at the end of the runway - the only tree in the area - killing all 5 on board a small plane in Nachez, Louisiana. Croce was the child of Italian immigrants and grew up in south Philadelphia. He got his start playing fraternity parties and coffee houses. We hope you enjoy this feature album from this outstanding folk rock singer-songwriter who passed too soon.

“I Got a Name”

This well known title track was the first single from the album, released the day after Croce's death.

“Lovers Cross”

This song is about the downsides of a relationship in which one partner is too dependent on the other for their happiness. “And bridges are meant for burnin' when the people and memories they join aren't the same.”

“Five Short Minutes”

And this one is a cautionary tale about sleeping with groupies who are too young! “Because five short minutes of lovin' done brought me twenty long years in jail.”

“Working at the Carwash Blues”

This track tells the story of an ex-con who got a job at a car wash after his time in prison. It was the fourth single released. Gonzo did a cover of this song on “The Muppet Show.”

ENTERTAINMENT TRACK:

“The Entertainer” from the movie “The Sting”

This Scott Joplin ragtime song was featured in the blockbuster film "The Sting" starring Robert Redford and Paul Newman.

STAFF PICKS:

“Midnight Train to Georgia” by Gladys Knight & The Pips

This Grammy-winning song was a cover of a song originally entitled “Midnight Plane to Houston,” and Bruce adds, it was inspired by a conversation writer Jim Weatherly had with Farrah Fawcett.

“Smokin' in the Boy's Room” by Brownsville Station

Brian's staff pick is perhaps better known from the Motley Crue cover. It was originally entitled “Smokin' in the Theater,” and was the song that moved Brownsville Station from a regional band to a national one.

“If You Wanna Get to Heaven” by Ozark Mountain Daredevils

Wayne picks a southern country-rock song. The Ozark Mountain Daredevils hailed from Springfield, Missouri, and chose to stick around the state rather than chase a larger audience in Los Angeles or other cities with a larger music scene.

“Hello, It's Me” by Todd Rundgren

Rob's staff pick is one of the big songs from Philly's Todd Rundgren. This song was recorded three different times, this one being his solo hit.

INSTRUMENTAL TRACK:

“Love's Theme” by Love Unlimited Orchestra

We exit this podcast on an instrumental disco hit that was from a group formed by Barry White.

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**NOTE: What the Riff?!? does not own the rights to any of these songs and we neither sell, nor profit from them. We share them so you can learn about them and purchase them for your own collections.

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By Rob Marbury, Wayne Rowan, Bruce Fricks and Brian Dickhute

4.8

4646 ratings